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Stay Safe: Firearms and Weapons Attack

Police and security agencies are working tirelessly to protect the public but it is also important that communities remain vigilant and aware of how to protect themselves if the need arises.

National Counter Terrorism policing is providing advice to the public on the steps they can take to keep themselves safe in the event of a firearms or weapons attack.

The police service has released the short public information film called ‘Stay Safe: Firearms and Weapons Attack’ which sets out the key options for keeping safe should the worst happen. The film is now freely available below and online via the National Police Chiefs’ Council YouTube account.

If you are deaf click on the following link for a version of the video with British Sign Language.

The film advises those who get caught up in an incident to ‘run, hide and tell’ - guidance which can be applied to any place. We know that from case studies and real life testimony based on the experiences of people who have survived attacks the advice given in the film has saved lives.

Our advice, wherever possible, is to follow the Run Hide Tell guidance until the police arrive on the scene. The guidance recommends RUN, if you can, if you can’t run, HIDE and then, when you can, TELL the police what’s happening so they can get help there quickly to stop the threat. Tell the police by calling 999. Also tell others of the threat so they don’t approach danger.

However, if someone is in immediate danger, their life is being threatened and there is no alternative we would never criticise their actions if instinct takes over and they feel the need to fight back.

While on holiday

As we all know, the past few years have seen attacks taking place in popular tourism destinations. Ahead of the summer holiday season, the following video released by Counter Terrorism Police UK gives advice about what to do in the event of a terror attack occurring while abroad.

Police advice in the event of a firearms or weapons attack is that people should Run, Hide, Tell.
Wherever possible Run to a place of safety. If there’s nowhere to go, then Hide, and only when it is safe to do so. All situations are different and we recognise that people’s ability to Run, Hide, Tell will vary for reasons such as age, fitness and capability.

When running is not an option, people should make every effort to move away from the area as quickly as they can. The RHT guidance highlights the importance of people caught up in such a scenario assisting those around them who may need help.

Should an attack take place in a workplace, companies also have a duty of care to make provision to facilitate the evacuation of disabled employees , and should have a bespoke plan in place in the event of an emergency situation.